Phytochemical screening, Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) and <i>in vitro</i> antiplasmodial analysis of <i>Senna siamea</i> leaves as antimalarial, Yobe State, Nigeria

Abstract

Poverty and lack of access to health facilities had necessitated the less privileged to depend on herbal remedies to treat a number of diseases  including malaria. The successes recorded from the discovery of novel antimalarials from plant sources had paved the way for the search of  antimalarial compounds from traditional pharmacopeia. Phytochemical analysis as well as GC-MS analysis of crude leaves extract of Senna siamea was conducted, with a view to identifying compounds with biological activities. Further antimalarial assessment of the crude extracts was also performed in an in vitro assay. The phytochemicals; phenols, tannins, anthraquinones, alkaloid and flavonoids were detected from hexane and methanol extracts. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of Saponins specifically, triterpenoids (Lupeol, α-amyrin), Sesquiterpene (Octadecane), Diterpenes (Eicosane), Esters of pthalic acids (Diethyl phthalate) Squalene, α-Tocopherol (a fat soluble Vitamin E) and hexadecanoic acid butyl ester. A dose dependent suppression of parasite growth was observed for all extracts, with methanolic extract showing less antimalarial potency (IC₅₀= 3.74 μg/mL) when compared to the hexane extract (IC₅₀=4.349 μg/mL). Extracts and compounds detected from the leaves of this plant could be used as novel lead compounds to develop new drugs.

Keywords: Phytochemical analysis; GC-MS; antimalarial; Senna siamea; medicinal plants.